The Transfer Tavern

Pundit’s choice: Danny Ings

Southampton will be searching for their second victory of the season when they face Brighton & Hove Albion this evening at St Mary’s, and Danny Ings is being tipped to make the difference between the two sides.

Southampton brought Ings’ nightmare spell at Liverpool to an end during the summer transfer window in a deal worth £20 million, despite the fact he had spent the majority of his career at Anfield on the sideline with cruciate ligament injuries.

His decline was a story of bitter misfortune for a player who promised so much on his first season in the top-flight with Burnley, but the manner in which he has began his new chapter on the south coast suggests his poachers instinct and technical quality have remained constant through his lengthy absence.

Indeed, 2 goals against Everton and Crystal Palace have served to justify his hefty price tag and his promising opening to the campaign has even rekindled discussion over a potential England call-up in light of Jamie Vardy’s retirement.

And ahead of Southampton’s clash with Brighton this evening, Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson delivered his pre-match prediction and tipped Hughes’ side for a 2-0 victory, before suggesting ‘Danny Ings might be the difference’.

On current form Merson is wise to single out Ings (valued at £7.2 million by Transfermarkt) as Southampton’s biggest goal threat and, if the likes of Nathan Redmond and Mohammed Elyounoussi can find him inside the penalty area, there’s no doubt the summer recruit will be on hand to find the back of the net.

Ings has proven to be an inspired signing by the Saints so far and a maiden strike at St Mary’s will certainly enhance his rapidly growing popularity at the club.